National Council Session
Starting in 1915 and every few years since then, delegates from every council across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas have met to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement and elect national leaders for the next triennium.
Learn more about our 55th National Council Session in October 2020:
Girl Scouts have always been possibility thinkers and trail blazers.
So when COVID-19 required that we move our 55th National
Council Session (NCS) online for the safety of all participants for
the first time in our 100+ year history, we realized this virtual
gathering presented an incredible opportunity. While we would miss
gathering in person, we believed more members would experience our
democratic process, as they would only have to travel as far as their
computer, tablet, or smartphone to watch live. And we were right!
Thousands of members tuned in to the livestream throughout the weekend
of October 23 through October 25, 2020 to see the delegates
representing their councils conduct important Girl Scout business.
Approximately 1,200 delegates, including several hundred girl members
aged 14–17, represented their councils—electing a new National
Board, including a new National President, Karen P. Layng, and,
spending hours deliberating on each proposal that was up for debate.
Learn more about our 55th National Council Session:
- Listen to National President Karen Layng’s keynote remarks.
- Watch a video summarizing this NCS.
- Read about the actions taken (PDF) on the six proposals.
- Review the updated Blue Book of Basic Documents (PDF).
Save the date for July 2023 for the 56th NCS!
We can’t wait to gather again safely in person for our 56th National Council Session, which will take place in Orlando, Florida, in July 2023 (exact dates to be announced). Watch this video to see more!
2020-2023 Board Slate Commitment Statement
The new National Board and National Board Development Committee pledged to adhere to this Commitment Statement for the next triennium in their work on behalf of the Movement. These commitments focus on what unites our Movement—starting with our strong belief in the Girl Scout mission and our desire to expand its reach and impact—and communicate how through our shared good governance the candidates for the National Board and National Board Development Committee will serve, engage with, and grow the Movement.
